Renewed Hope and Cheer

When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. – (Psalm 94:19, NLT)

Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer. – (Psalm 94:19, TLB)

Whenever my busy thoughts were out of control, the soothing comfort of Your presence calmed me down and overwhelmed me with delight. – (Psalm 94:19, TPT)

 

Just yesterday, this verse was demonstrated in a tangible way. My fiancé and I had made an offer on a house, and we were eagerly awaiting an answer. Additionally, it was the first day of state testing for my students, and the group I was to test is my most energetic group of sixth graders. I had concerns going in, as they struggle to stay on task during our usual 90-minute block class, despite the break that is given in the middle. For testing, I was scheduled to have these kiddos for a three-hour block until lunch. Between technology difficulties and an extremely rigorous test, we ended up with our same group of test-takers until the end of the school day. All but one of my cherubs had completed the assessment by the conclusion of seventh period, and it was implied that we would go on to eighth period to end the day. For whatever reason, that did not happen, and we ended up in staying together in my shrinking classroom for the final 45-minute period of the day as well. There was a bit of turmoil for all of us, yet after a short time, we all settled in and made the best of the down time. It provided room for each to decompress without academic expectations and I was pleased with the smiles and giggles around the room as kids colored, visited, played games, and some even sat in the sunshine right outside of my classroom door. Additionally, I received a text from my fiancé telling me that our offer had been accepted and we officially had acquired our new home. Comfort, hope and cheer were supplied in the midst of far too many busy thoughts. God is good, and He quiets us when our hearts are in turmoil and grants us renewed hope and cheer. May we ever seek Him when doubts fill our minds, for He is our comfort and conductor of cheer.

 

When my mind races,

Our new home! ❤

And doubts enter in;

You bring me comfort,

Show me hope again.

Within my turmoil,

You come with Your peace;

Your presence brings calm,

As Your good’s released.

You still busy thoughts,

In love, You draw near;

You delight my heart,

As hope brings great cheer.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when things get hectic or chaotic and begin to cause our hearts to doubt, You bring Your comfort as You quiet our hearts and renew our hope and cheer. Forgive us for allowing our circumstances to overwhelm us and steal our joy. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would rely on You in all things and at all times, as You provide all that we need no matter what lies before us. Show us how to love well so that we may offer comfort, hope and cheer to those struggling with their own busy thoughts. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You thanks for Your faithfulness to meet us in our moments of mayhem and bring Your calm as You renew our hope and cheer. Amen.

 

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. – Psalm 145:8

Trust With Every Step

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. – (Proverbs 3:5, NIV)

Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. With every step you take, think about what He wants, and He will help you go the right way. – (Proverbs 3:5, ERV)

 

This morning as I woke, these were the first thoughts that came to mind. Typically, my mind races with my “To Do List” for the day as I rise, rather than God’s word, so I knew that the Lord was waking me with a reminder of what I am meant to do, and how He will be my help. Today, I am called to trust Him with all that I am, and not merely rely on my own understanding. I must choose to submit to the Lord and His ways, and as I do, He will show me which way I am meant to go. Though I imagine this was intended to provide peace to my heart and mind regarding my appointment with the specialist this afternoon, it applies to all things in my life. As I wake my children and seek to best prepare them for state testing so that they are alert and confident as they go; when I arrive at school and proctor the same tests with my students; and even on my drive into the city for my appointment – in all these things, His path is far greater than my own, and I will choose to trust Him. May we place all of our trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding, but in all of our ways let us submit unto Him, and He shall make plain our paths.

 

Let’s trust in the Lord,

With all that we are;

Submit to His will,

Our bright Morning Star.

For He’s always good,

He makes the path plain;

If we seek His way,

And allow Him reign.

Let not what we see,

Nor what our ears hear;

Determine the truth,

Or leave us in fear.

No matter what comes,

Far greater is God;

He’ll lead and guide us,

Show which path to trod.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we trust in You with all that we are and submit to You, leaning not on our own understanding, You show us every step that we are meant to take so that our path is made plain. Forgive us for depending on our own understanding, rather than trusting You completely. Teach us to trust You more, as You alone are the One who sees and knows the way we should go to have the very best possible outcome. Show us how to love others well, so that we are living examples of faith in action. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, as they recognize the faithfulness that is found in You alone. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You completely, and depend on You with every step that we take. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. – 2 Corinthians 3:5